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The Ups and Downs of 2016

17:30:00

What a wild ride 2016 was. For me personally and the world as a whole, so much has happened this year. I feel like a completely different person, in both good and bad ways, so I wanted to do a very typical 2016-in-review post, like every other blogger on the face of this earth.

I've experienced so many new things, it seems crazy that it's only been one year.

During the first part of 2016, I lived in a permanent state of bliss. I had friends who I loved hanging out with and who invited me to things. I always had people to sit with at lunch, and I usually had things to do on the weekends. This might seem pretty standard for a lot of people, but that's something I hadn't really had before.

I was also in my first relationship. Although it didn't work out and didn't last too long, I'm thankful for the experience and it taught me a lot about what I look for in the people I surround myself with.

I then got my first proper job. Holy shit, I loved it so much. I woke up every single day excited, and I never wanted it to end. It was at a quaint little bakery, and I consider that summer one of the best of my life. My brother always had friends staying with us, and as we were in the same friend group, my friends were around almost every day when I came home from work. It was heavenly.

That summer was spent in a state of bliss. I feel like a was a different person back then, and I sort of miss how naive I was and all the hope I had for my future.
I remember my childhood friend came to visit me at one point, and we were sat by the sea eating a cake I'd brought from the bakery. That was such a day, and I remember looking out and just watching the sea, laughing and thinking about how happy I was.

Me on my birthday in 2014 (or possibly 2015, I'm not too sure)

On my birthday, I went to visit the flat I'm currently living in for the second time. I had an amazing morning at work, where my brother and some of my friends came to visit, and I loved it. Seeing my flat again also made the fact that I was moving out feel like a reality. I started getting nervous, but mostly excited for the future.

In August, I did my first blog collaboration with a company. I still love the website, but the sense of pride I felt when I published that blogpost was completely incomparable. This wasn't school-related or given to me in any way. Someone had contacted me, from an official company, saying they wanted to work with me, and I had earned this.

I went to a spontaneous trip to IKEA with my cousin and half-cousin, and we were all so excited and loved it that it was so much fun. My cousin and I spent the next four days painting furniture, although I convinced her to do most of it while I kept her company by belting One Direction songs.

Then was the time for the actual moving out. I cried the first night, and everything went downhill from there. School started, and everything got worse. I was alone and I felt unsure about who I was and what I was doing with my life. That's pretty much what the past few months have consisted of for me.

I don't want to delve too far into the unhappiness and loneliness of it all (because I spoke about it here and here), but it was definitely prominent. I just try to remember all the great things that have come out of these past few months too. My roommate and I have grown so close (I didn't know her before I moved), and she's become one of my best friends. She's taught me so much about myself and she's made me smile and laugh when I felt like I'd hit rock-bottom, and for all of that, I owe her so much.

I joined my cousin and her family for a few trips up to the mountain. Once this autumn, which I blogged here, and then once more over christmas. It's the same routine every time, but nothing makes me happier than those few cosy days.

This autumn hasn't been a happy time for me, but there have been happy moments. Visits back home, reuniting with old friends as they've visited me here, long skype calls with my best friend, and late nights of chats and laughter with my roommate. Coursework at a cafe with my cousin, pizza dates, and watching fireworks from the docks here (twice!).

Oslo is beautiful, and I've truly fallen in love with it. My roommate and I went on a little christmas adventure to the fair here, and it was so much fun. I spent the days leading up to Christmas in england with my family. My dad and I drove around the area, visiting quaint and adorable villages (blogpost will be up soon).

I was ill over christmas, but I made the best of the following days. I spent parts of it up in the mountains as I mentioned, and then had friends visiting from back home. We had the loveliest time, baking gingerbread and going out for chips at 2am. It really was a great end to the year.

New Years Eve was fun too, although I spent it with people I barely know. I'm not usually a big fan of new years eve, but I really enjoyed this one.

Overall, 2016 has been turbulent to say the least. I've been through truly awful times, but I've also had some unbelievably happy moments. Here's to a better 2017 for all of us!

Sounds like a crazy turbulent year! I went through a very similar period of difficulty when I moved to university in September 2015. The whole academic year was incredibly challenging and I can relate to a lot of what you wrote about here and in your posts about your struggles after moving. I think, though, that such a seismic change just requires time to adjust to. It sounds like you've got a great friend in your roommate, and hopefully this year you'll be able to find a happier balance. Also, if it really isn't working out and you need a new plan - that's totally ok!Lx | Lightly We Go

This is so sweet! I feel like I'm more adjusted now, and things are going better - at least at the moment. I really hope you're more settled in and happier at university this year! You're so sweet, thank you for the lovely comment <3

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Hi! I'm a 17 year old lifestyle blogger, currently living in Norway. I blog about my thoughts and photography, but if you want to know more about me, you can check out my 'about me' page or follow me on twitter!